This weekend was our community's Ice festival. The Ice Festival consisted of the Frosty 5K, games in the park, ice sculptures, the Polar Plunge, the Chocolate Tours, and the Chocolate Banquet. I heard later that the Polar Plunge was cancelled (Rightfully so, even though it is for charity, I find it ridiculous that an organization would put volunteers at risk for this in freezing water in February. I definitely think they made a good call. Polar Plunges should be banned!).
I was debating on running the Frosty 5K. I was bummed that I missed the price increase deadline (because I could not find the updated web page to register), so I decided if the organization could not produce clear communication for the race that I was not going to pay extra to run it. I realized that I did want to run and that I was just being stubborn, so I thought about it some more and did some weather stalking for that date. Turns out, we were suppose to get freezing rain the morning of the race. That solidified my decision to not run. However, I knew that I wanted to participate in the Chocolate Tour and the other festivities later in the day. We never got any freezing rain although I'm sure the morning was colder than what I would have liked but the sun was out in the afternoon and it was a perfect day for walking in town.
My sister and I, and our friends K, all met on the third floor of the Barnes and Nobel book store to purchase our tickets for the Chocolate Tour. We got a lanyard with a punch card on it, a bottle of water, and a small goodie bag. We asked what the bag was for and we were told that it was to put some treats in along the way. We assumed that we would just be eating the treats at each stop and would not need the bag. Turns out, we had so many treats that we could have used a larger bag!
There were 15 or so stops along the tour that had some sort of chocolate concoction. There were chocolate truffles, chocolate bagels, lots of chocolate bark, and other various chocolate treats. There was even chocolate wine at one of the stops.
Here are some of the many ice sculptures along the route.
Of course we couldn't go to an ice festival and not stop and visit Olaf.
We had ate quite a bit of chocolate already while on the tour, but we all had twice as much that we did not eat and got to bring home with us. This was my stash. After the tour we all went back to our friend K's house and had coffee, shared our treats, and played games.
You would think that after eating all the chocolate (and I didn't eat all my stash yet), that I would have had some great workouts this weekend, but I didn't. I did my two treadmill runs earlier this week and planned to do an outside run on Saturday since it was nice but I did not plan very well.
I was planning on getting up this morning and running at the park but when I woke up, there was already snow on the ground (I didn't think it was coming till this evening). I can not get into the habit of skipping runs so I'll call it another treadmill day. I'm getting pretty use to this (not usually because of the weather, but by choice). I'm finding TM runs to be pretty darn convenient although not as satisfying!
After the run it will be time to put on the Chili for the big game!
Any cool festivals near you? Will you be watching the game? -M
We will be linking up with Holly and Wendy for their weekly wrap.
I totally would have been all in on that chocolate festival! What a fun way to spend the afternoon with your sister and friend. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a good time. I'm glad we went out!
DeleteThe chocolate tour looks like so much fun! I don't watch football but I am hoping the Eagles win since they have never won before and it would make so many people happy! Good luck to your team!
ReplyDeleteWe are Steelers fans first, but hey, ya gotta cheer for the local team so we are!
DeleteThat chocolate tour sounds great! Its nice that you were able to get so many treats. I've been getting used to the treadmill this winter too. Its just so convenient!
ReplyDeleteI hate that I so easily pass up outside runs now for the TM!
DeleteThe chocolate tour sounds yum! One good thing about the cooler weather for you is that the ice sculptures didn't melt! The polar plunges here never get cancelled.
ReplyDeleteI think those polar plunges are just senseless!
DeleteThe Chocolate Festival and Tour sounds heavenly. It's nice you received enough treats to bring home and share (or not). Good for you for getting your runs in on the TM this week. As for the game, I will probably watch just for the commercials. Thanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteYes, I actually did share, although only certain treats..lol!
DeleteOh that chocolate tour...sign me up!!! Sounds like a great event! I'm watching the game, and cheering for the Eagles as well (they were a childhood favorite team because I loved their green and white uniforms LOL).
ReplyDeleteYay for the Eagles!
DeleteThat chocolate tour sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great way to spend an afternoon!
DeleteAh, that festival sounds so fun! We've got lots of fun things here in Charleston, but nothing quite like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun what communities have things to do in the dead of winter!
DeleteI would've loved that chocolate festival. I know I would've needed a bigger bag for all kinds of treats.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I actually bought something at one of the stores in town so I could have a larger bag!
DeleteI did not watch the game. At all. We watched a movie last night & I slept through a lot of it anyway; luckily one I've seen many times.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of the chocolate tour! There are lots of cool events here -- the weekend before was chowder fest, including dessert chowders (which sound awful, quite frankly), but we rarely go to anything. Too busy running, or going to my parents, or . . . whatever.
I've had some fruit soups before like Strawberry soup, blueberry soup, peach soup, etc. I wonder if that is similar to the dessert chowder?
DeleteWell who would not love a chocolate tour?! We did something similar in San Francisco and loved it. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fun way to explore a new city!
DeleteThat chocolate tour sounds like a lot of fun! That's an impressive stash that you got to take home with you too. The chocolate wine sounds interesting. Did you like it?
ReplyDeleteYes, the chocolate wine was tasty. I forget the name of it. I've had one other chocolate wine before and it was called "Chocolate Lab". Of course I would remember the name of that one!
DeleteI am not a huge fan of chocolate, but I would go for a chocolate tour!!
ReplyDeleteSkipping a run is so easy, and then so difficult to get back on the running train again. But you got this!1 are you training for anything right now?
I have a race in March and one in April!
DeleteWhat a fun winter activity to do a Chocolate tour! Hope you are celebrating an Eagles win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great game it was!
DeleteThere were actually a lot of ice sculpture and much bigger ones but it was hard to get a pictures without a ton of people next to them.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely a tasty afternoon!
ReplyDelete